October 27, 2013

Lisa
McLellan inspires students at Windham High School to love learning science. Her
enthusiasm and hard work has earned her recognition as a state finalist for the
national Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching.

After
being nominated for the award by assistant principal Kelli Deveaux, McLellan
chose to go through the rigorous application process. The application included
recording a classroom lesson, and writing a paper on that lesson explaining how
it demonstrates all the dimensions of good teaching, said McLellan. She also
had to gather recommendations from parents, students and administrators. “It was
an involved process, but it was really pretty enlightening. I learned quite a
bit about myself. It made me think about what I was doing and why I was doing
it, and resulted in me improving some of the lessons that I was doing within
that unit,” she said.

A
state committee met and reviewed the applications. Up to five finalists for the
awards can be selected from each state. In Maine this year, four finalists were
chosen, one in mathematics and three in science. The application materials of
each finalist is then sent to a national committee which reviews materials from
all the states and US jurisdictions, and can choose up to two from each to
receive an award. Those who are selected will go to Washington DC to attend
professional development activities and awards events. They each receive a
certificate signed by the President of the United States, as well as a $10,000
award from the National Science Foundation.

The
state finalists came together last week in Gardiner to attend a day of
professional development and to be recognized. McLellan said that was a nice
experience because she was able to talk with the other finalists and share
ideas.

Teaching
at Windham High School was McLellan’s first job after receiving her teacher
certification, and she has now been teaching at the school for ten years. Initially,
she taught physics and chemistry classes. Now, she concentrates on chemistry,
teaching Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and an independent study designed for
students who have completed two years of chemistry and want a third, more
advanced year in the subject.

The
development of the AP Chemistry program is one of McLellan’s teaching
achievements. When she began at the school, it had been a while since they had
offered AP Chemistry, she said. Wanting to teach honors classes, McLellan
struck a deal with the department head. “He told me that he would give me a
shot at the honors classes if I would develop an AP chemistry program and
recruit enough students to make the program viable. I’ve definitely done that,”
she said. There were so many students wanting to take the class this past year
that they considered running two sections. In the end, the budget wouldn’t
allow for that, and they had to cut several students who wanted to take the AP
course.

But
even if students aren’t able to take every course they want, there are other
opportunities to dive into science at the high school. McLellan runs several
extracurricular activities available for students who want to go more in depth
with their studies, including Science Olympiad (co-coach), Science Bowl, and
the ACS Chemistry Olympiad.

Those
activities outside of school offer chances for students to compete, build
things, and solve real world problems, said McLellan. “There’s a lot about it
that is really exciting and really relevant to kids lives and to the world. It’s
really important that we give kids really high bars, and we make it relevant,
and we keep it fun and exciting,” she said.

McLellan
said the most rewarding part of her job is when she hears that former students,
either in college or beyond, are successful. “It’s really exciting to know that
we’re providing them those tools that they need, and then it’s also really nice
that they want to come tell me about it,” she said. “It’s those connections
with kids that last into their adult lives that means that I’ve done something
that made a difference in somebody’s life.”

McLellan
appreciates Windham High School and its science department. She said the way
that the team meets weekly to collaborate with one another is special and
unique. “Everybody’s always coming up with these new things that they want to
do and there’s enthusiasm for it. We don’t just work in our own separate
classrooms.”She said that the
department can only work that way because of the people there, and the support
of the administration.

McLellan
feels supported not only by the school administration, but also by the parents.
“In Windham, the community has been really open to trying new things and being
excited about science. In order to be able to go for this award and have some
success with it, I had to be in a place where it would work. The community has been
really great. It is really a nice place to be,” said McLellan.

A
ribbon cutting took place Thursday, October 10 at 104 Tandberg Trail where Robert
Corthell of Secure Benefits / Nationwide Insurance has his new business in
Windham. Many Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce members were on hand to
welcome him to his new location. FMI, call 207-482-3328 or email
rcorthell@securemybenefits.com.

October 21, 2013

The Windham High School Leo Club sponsored a Walk to Cure
Diabetes at the high school Sunday morning. The crisp, fall air with overcast
skies made for perfect conditions as the walk got underway shortly after 9 a.m.
Beginning on the school track, nearly 60 walkers of all ages registered to make
the 3-mile trek in hopes of raising as much funds as they could for a cure of type
1 Diabetes, (T1D). With all proceeds going to JDRF, (formerly known as the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), Leo Club adviser Karen Petcher spoke
before the walk: "We, (the Leo Club), are very excited as this is the
first time doing something like this for diabetes. We have a club member who
has diabetes and of course my son also, so this is very near and dear to our
hearts." As the walk began, Petcher added, "Of course I wish there
were more here, but it's a start. More people need to be made aware of T1D, and
its wide range of symptoms, it has so many variables."

JDRF is a major charitable organization dedicated to funding T1D Research. The
goal at JDRF is simple: "To progressively remove the impact of T1D from
people's lives until we achieve a world withOUT T1D." Headquartered in New
York City, JDRF has numerous Chapters and branches throughout the United
States, with eight international affiliates as well. Sponsoring more than $530
million in scientific research in 17 countries, JDRF is the leader in the fight
against this disease. In 2012 alone, JDRF provided more than $110 million to
T1D research. JDRF has two national fundraising events in the U.S. that are
open to public participation: The Walk to Cure Diabetes, and the Ride to Cure
Diabetes. JDRF walks are held at over 200 locations across the country and are
managed by local JDRF chapters. Participants can walk as individuals, or join a
team, (which can be started by a family, company or any group of people). Leo club
president, Alexandria Petcher, who is a senior at Windham High School and the
daughter of Karen Petcher, added, "The club is a good opportunity to do
things like this within the community. T1D is in my family so it’s great to be
able to help." Petcher plans to attend college in the south and pursue a
law degree after high school.

The Leo Club is a service group of Windham High School that focuses on the
community. A youth version of the Lions Club, the Leo Club has been involved in
such charities as the Ronald McDonald House, Relay for Life, Stuff the Bus,
blood drives, fuel assistance, clothing drives, kids activities and now raising
money for blindness and Diabetes.

The JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes program has raised over $1 billion since 1992,
and has more than 600,000 participants a year. Today with this walk, the local
community added to those numbers with hopes for more events like this in the
future.

"Awareness is the key, and it’s great to see so many
people come out and show the love and support this event needs. We really
appreciate that," said Karen with a smile. If you missed the walk and
would like to help, please contact Karen at Windham High School, or go to www.jdrf.org.

Students
of Windham High School have begun organizing a mock trial team that will
compete in the Maine Bar Association’s High School Mock Trial program. There
will 24 high schools competing in the annual competition. This is the first
year that WHS is participating. Teams prepare during the months of September
and October, the actual trial competitions are on November 2.

This
year’s case is the State of Maine v. Terry Jackson. Although a fictitious case,
it does represent a present and real problem of today’s youth. Terry Jackson is
on trial for manslaughter. He is accused of texting while driving, causing an
accident that resulted in the death of Jane Anderson who was riding in his
vehicle.

Holly
Wilson, teacher of “Street Law”, at WHS chose to invite the students to
participate. David Ezhaya, retired teacher, is helping, along with the
lawyer-coach Peter Felmly, an attorney at Drummond Woodsum.

Felmly
traveled to Windham High School to meet with the team on Tuesday. The Legal
Eagles are made of the following seniors: Garrick Rogers, Mark Hopkins, Liam
Sullivan, James Wynn, Edward Babbitt, Jacob Cross, Scott Gorman, Brad Saucier,
Michael McIntire, Carl Berthiaume, Nicholas Cerino. Juniors: Olivia Gilvey,
Philip Dow, Mya Burrage, and David Kaschub. Sophomores: Kyle Cidre, and Isiah
Flaherty.

The
Windham Town Council met last Tuesday to discuss some improvement plans for the
town. Some topics of interest are the upgrading of the Donnabeth Lippman Park,
the establishment of a task force to improve economic development and outlining
the goals still needing to be achieved for the year 2013.

Lippman Park
improvement

The
Town Council is putting a long-term plan together to improve Lippman Park
behind Sherwin-Williams on Route 302. The town bought up a large portion of the
land in the park from the Portland Water District in 2011 and Mr. Lippman
donated a significant amount to the area in dedication to his wife, Donnabeth. It
now covers 123 acres of land with 10-acre Chaffin Pond as the centerpiece.

The
first phase of the improvements involve “access roads and parking,” according
to Windham town manager Tony Plante. “The council felt that it was better to do
it in pieces rather than all at once. This is the first step,” Plante added. He
said that the total improvement project would last between four and five years
as an estimate. Doing the work is important because it is the first step to
increase access to the park is to improve the roads and logistical parking
patterns.

Drew
Corporation of Lovell, Maine was chosen by the town to do the site work which
should begin in a couple of weeks. A new granite sign was placed this week as
well.

Economic
Development Task Force

“The
Economic Development Task Force was put together by the council,” Plante said.

Dan
Hancock, the spokesperson for the task force spoke before the town council to
talk about the research and goals of the Economic Development Task Force. “Development
should benefit the entire community, not just growth for growth’s sake,” he
said.

The
task force looked at the demographics of Windham, who’s choosing to move in and
out and why. They put a focus on community structures. The Task Force suggested
that the champion of Windham’s economic development should be the WEDC (Windham
Economic Development Corporation). This is a non-government agency, but the
final say in finding and allocation would fall under the town council.

“I
think the primary focus is on business development,” said Plante, who will be
part of the task force. “[We’re] looking at economic development in a way that
enhances community development. Dan Hancock spoke about benefiting the culture
of Windham through the new economic endeavors here.

Goal setting at
the council level

The
major goals that the council anticipated finishing in 2013 are the Lippman Park
project phase 1, roads and infrastructure, capital improvement planning, fire
protection and the north Route 302 corridor plan impact
fees and development. All council meeting agendas and many of the handouts can
be found on the town’s website at www.windhamweb.com. Other goals
moving forward are listed in priorities. “Nearly all priority A things were
done,” said Plante. Some items from the priority B list may be tabled for next
year.

Setting
manageable goals for anything, especially a town is crucial to a community
feeling of success, said Plante.